COLOSS Conference 2018

We recently attended the 14th International COLOSS Conference 2018 which was specifically focused on two new invasive species in Europe – The Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) and small hive beetles (Aethina tumida).

The COLOSS conference gave an Annual General Assembly meeting and an update on the network’s achievements and future directions.

Gather information on control methods adopted by beekeepers where V. velutina is present and test the most promising of such methods in different environments;

Develop and test innovative control methods;

Apply for a joint European research project on V. velutina.

COLOSS (Prevention of honey bee COlony LOSSes) is an international, non-profit association headquartered in Bern, Switzerland that is focussed on improving the well-being of bees at a global level. Composed of scientific professionals including researchers, veterinarians, agriculture extension specialists and students. COLOSS understand that cooperation and open dialogue are key to better understanding the reasons why bee populations are threatened in today’s world.

Special thanks are given to organisers: Dirk deGraaf from Ghent University, Belgium (local organiser) Maria Bouga from Agricultural University of Athens, Greece, AsliÖzkirim from Hacettepe University, Turkey and Geoff Williams from Auburn University, USA

XesúsFeás would like to thank Deputation de A Coruña for funded the attendance of the Conference and financial support to investigate new methods of controlling the Vespavelutina, in a research program carried out at the Campus Terra of the University of Santiago deCompostela.